MLB x WM, DP World Tour’s Climate Action, and WNFC x Gridiron
Welcome to the first edition of The Purposeful Partnerships Report, the weekly newsletter highlighting purpose led sports partnerships within the industry. This edition of the newsletter dives into the MLB’s partnership with Waste Management (WM), The DP World Tour’s unique way of engaging fans regarding carbon emissions, and the Women’s National Football Conference and Gridiron Football’s groundbreaking partnership.
-Graham Anderson
MLB Teams Up with WM for a Sustainable Future
Some major news straight from the ballpark. Major League Baseball (MLB) has just announced a groundbreaking partnership with environmental services provider WM , marking a significant leap forward in the league's sustainability initiatives.
Here are the key highlights of this groundbreaking collaboration:
WM Becomes First Sustainability-Focused Partner in MLB History:
As MLB's official sustainability partner, WM is poised to make a significant impact by offering its expertise and resources to help MLB teams achieve their sustainability targets.
Presenting Sponsor of MLB’s Earth Day and Green Week Celebrations:
WM's commitment to sustainability will be showcased as it takes on the role of presenting sponsor for MLB’s official Earth Day and Green Week celebrations, reinforcing the league's dedication to environmental stewardship.
Comprehensive Sustainability Advisory Services:
WM will provide MLB teams with end-to-end sustainability solutions, guiding them towards more eco-friendly practices and helping them implement strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.
Support for 'MLB Green Teams' at Marquee League Events:
Environmental consciousness will take center stage at the league’s marquee events like the All-Star Week and World Series, with WM supporting 'MLB Green Teams' to ensure best practices are achieved.
This partnership will be very interesting to watch develop, specifically seeing how the Earth Day and Green Week space category can be added to other sports leagues and properties partnership roster.
DP World Tour Empowers Fans to Combat Climate Change
Some exciting news from the world of professional golf was announced this week. The DP World Tour has just launched a groundbreaking tool that empowers spectators to calculate and offset their carbon footprint while traveling to and from tournaments.
The Climate Action Tool:
- Developed in collaboration with Q Green TeC, allows traveling fans to quantify their greenhouse gas emissions associated with attending tournaments.
- Spectators can input their travel details, including flights, accommodation, and ground transportation, into a user-friendly portal accessible via email links.
- By purchasing verified carbon credits fans can offset their calculated emissions and contribute to global climate mitigation efforts.
Driving Engagement and Awareness:
- To promote widespread adoption of the tool, QR codes will be strategically placed throughout tournament sites and on DP World Tour digital platforms.
- The tour will also incentivize fans to participate through engaging competitions, offering "once in a lifetime" prizes to those who choose to offset their travel emissions.
Commitment to Sustainable Practices:
- Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Head of Sustainability at the European Tour group, underscores the tour's commitment to promoting cleaner travel choices among fans.
- Existing initiatives include free shuttle services from local train stations, free bike parking, carpooling encouragement, and priority parking for electric vehicles.
This announcement from the DP World Tour is a prime example of a league bringing their ESG goals to life with intentional action. A more comprehensive report can be found in the DP World Tour Climate Action Report.
Women's National Football Conference and Gridiron Football Join Forces
Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) and Gridiron Football announced a groundbreaking partnership that will reshape the landscape of women's American football and pave the way for the next generation of female athletes. The partnership will champion inclusivity, talent development, and economic sustainability within the sport.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- This historic collaboration unlocks the full football pipeline for female athletes, offering a seamless pathway from youth to professional levels, encompassing both flag and tackle football.
- The WNFC, now in its landmark 5th season, has emerged as a beacon of innovation in women's professional football, boasting a diverse roster representing multiple countries and captivating over 20 million fans with its premier sports entertainment.
- Gridiron Football, a leader in youth flag and 7v7 football, brings unparalleled expertise in athlete development through its leagues, camps, and tournaments, catering to more than 30,000 young athletes aged 4-17.
Insights from Leadership:
- Odessa Jenkins, CEO of the WNFC, emphasizes the partnership's commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and empowering girls at every stage of their football journey.
- Scott Dillon, CEO of Gridiron Football, recognizes the immense potential in girls' and women's football, underscoring the partnership's vision to create development and engagement opportunities for female athletes worldwide.
Perfect Timing for Future Opportunities:
- Additionally, this partnership comes at a perfect time as preparations are underway for the introduction of Flag Football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- With both organizations working together, female athletes will have unprecedented opportunities to showcase their talents on a global stage, further solidifying the importance of this historic partnership.
This partnership will help to create a more unified development program in American Football and it will be exciting to see all of the graduates of this program playing in the 2028 Olympics.
